fantasy-football

SORTING OUT THE BIGGEST LOSERS IN THE 2024 NFL REGULAR SEASON

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The NFL is must see television for what takes place on the field and off the field. We have come up with the ten people that we think were the biggest losers this season in the NFL and hurt their own team in the process. Guys that get paid millions of dollars to act like spoiled children. Some of them had temper tantrums and lost their cool. Some of these guys should call it a career and hang up the spikes for the the performance just on the field. I even threw one owner under the bus because he should sell the team not knowing anything about the game itself. Not putting the right people in charge. I could have added other owners as well. All these guys should be heckled for what they have done this season in some way or the other. I have a list of ten names starting with top of the barrel pond scum working all the way down to the depths of just putrefied organisms that don’t need light to survive.

#10. DE’VONDE CAMPBELL 49ERS

Once you quit on your own team, there is no turning back. No way to spin the situation to your own favor. It was a Thursday night game between the 49ers and Rams. De’Vonde Campbell made 12 starts this season at outside linebacker for the 49ers replacing the injured Dre Greenlaw. When Greenlaw came back, Campbell went to the bench. Greenwell re-injured himself in that first game he played. Campbell refused to go into the game, walked off the field, and headed back to the locker room. Dude, why did you even suit up for the game? The 49ers pretty much after the game released Campbell. He annoyed many of his teammates in the process pulling a move like that. Campbell has played in the NFL 9 seasons & probably has made enough money to retire. I don’t think he will field any offers from other teams any time soon.

#9. SHAHID KHAN

I would be nauseated to be a Jacksonville Jaguar fan. Believe me people have witnessed me being a Bears fan and we have one of the worst owners in the NFL. Anytime the Jaguars find their way to the post-season after piling up bad season after bad season, it crumbles right away. Is Trevor Lawrence a stud or dud quarterback? How many coaches has Shahid Khan been through since he purchased this team? The whispers you heard about him wanting to move the Jaguars to London, England are so irritating. Why do the Jaguars still play multiple games in England every season? Doug Pederson looked like a good hire. The Florida sun melted his brain away as he was fired on Black Monday. Who will the big name be this time? The uniforms are hideous. The team looked like it had promise for years to come and then goes to shambles that quickly. I’d rather have Kobra Khan owning the Jaguars which is the least talked about Florida team in the state, than Mr. Oil Wells Shahid or however he became a rich cat. Mr. needs to hire somebody that knows football. Someone that can find that next head coach they need. Stay out of London. Just stay out of the football operations period.

#8. ODELL BECKHAM JR.

Odell Beckham Jr. is a dog that should be put down. He should not be some final piece for some playoff team in some crazy idea to help them win the Superbowl. He was supposed to be that 3rd winger in the Miami aerial attack that was going to be the better version of the greatest show on turf the 1999 Rams. In 9 games, Beckham had 9 catches for 55 yards. The Dolphins eventually cut ties with him. It seems like the injury with the Rams in the Superbowl is still lingering. He did have a big game in that Superbowl before going down with an injury. No front office in the league should pay this dirt bag more than the minimum next year. He should just hang up the spikes and call it a career is what my eyes are telling me. Take him to the vet and put him down. He’s the kind of dog you take out back of the shed.

#7. KIRK COUSINS OR THE ATLANTA FALCONS

Can you blame Kirk Cousins taking a 4 year deal worth 180 million? No way I’m turning down that kind of cheddar. Cousins got this type of money coming off a serious Achilles tendon injury with Minnesota during the 2023 season. Cousins went 7-7 as a starter for the Falcons. He finished with 18 touchdown passes compared to 16 interceptions. He was rusty out of the gates. Captain Kirk got better as the season went on. The Falcons at one point looked like they would win the NFC South. Then the wheels came off the bus towards the end of the season for Cousins as he looked bad. More interceptions than touchdown passes down the stretch. Definitely not worth that amount of money he got paid. The Falcons were getting criticized for drafting Michael Penix number 8 in the NFL draft after giving the big money to Cousins. Penix looks like a solid pick. Now you’re stuck with Cousins eating away the salary cap next season if you don’t trade him. How many stupid Cleveland Browns franchises are out there that would want to trade for Cousins? Speaking of the Browns, they need a QB. You’re stuck with cap problems now in Atlanta. Cousins could be better next season after only one full season since the injury. He’s 36 years of age and he should have never got that kind of money in the first place. Now you have Penix. You do not need Cousins. But you may be stuck with the most expensive back up QB in the league.

#6. AZEEZ AL SHAAIR HOUSTON TEXANS

Azeez Al-Shaair was suspended for three games for a hit on Jacksonville’s Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence after he gave himself up on a slide. Al-Shaair ended up hitting Lawrence in the head and knocked him out of the game. Lawrence would be carted off with a concussion. Al-Shaair then was involved in the brawl between the Jaguars and the Texans that took place after the hit. Then he was kicked out of the game and heading into the locker room. Then things would get hostile again with more Jaguars players. He had his helmet off during some of this conflict and looked like a mad man possessed. The Texans line backer was fined twice for late hits out of bounds before he ended Lawrence’s season. When he played for the 49ers years before he had one play, he clutched Tom Brady’s throat a few years back. We may give him a hall pass on that play. Of course he apologized after the game in hopes the league would go easier on him after the Lawrence hit. He said he went to a dark place after the suspension. Tick tick tick. Just like a time bomb ready to explode as he most likely will not learn from flying off the handle like he done.

#5.TYREEK HILL MIAMI DOLPHINS

Tyreek Hill is another guy that quit on his team in the last week of regular season. The Dolphins needed to beat the Jets. They also needed the Broncos to lose to the Chiefs to qualify for post-season. The Chiefs rested many of their starters and the Broncos pretty much had an easy day at the office. Meanwhile the Dolphins were losing to the Jets. You have to think Hill was scoreboard watching in the 3rd quarter. That is when he walked off the field and called it a day and a season. The words from his teammate were caught on the microphone from wide receiver Jaylen Waddle with his hands up in confusion. “Hey Cheetah. You done?”

The clock was stopped as the Jets had challenged the previous play late in the third. Hill sat down on the bench the Dolphins would go on without their star receiver down only 18-6 with plenty of time remaining. After the game, Hill would say to reporters that he was dealing with an issue. Everyone assuming an injury. McGenius Mike McDaniel after the game said he was unaware of any injury. Even though he knew that post-season was not in the cards this season, he left his brothers to fight the rest of the battle. A division rival is enough to play for? Even ending the season on a high note with a win can benefit the team next year. Leaving your guys out there too while he sat on the bench is why this prima dona makes this list. He has always had that reputation of a guy that needs the ball or else he will bitch. He thinks he walks on water. No I in team Mr. Hill. Which is giving him too much respect.

#4. AARON RODGERS

Why would the New York Jets bring back Aaron Rodgers? Just because he beat the Dolphins in the last week of the season. Rodgers now joins that elite 500 touchdown club of quarterbacks to have thrown that many touchdown passes. He made history, but Rodgers has single-handedly destroyed the Jets team this season. The Jets were in need of a quarterback before they signed Rodgers. At the time they had a young stud defense. They had some intriguing play makers both at the running back position and in the wide receiver room. Signing Rodgers was going to solve all their problems. It did not happen. In year one Rodgers would only last a few plays in his Jets debut as he tore his Achilles tendon and was sidelined for the entire season. Rodgers played all the games this past regular season. He got the Jets head coach fired. He even got the Jets General Manager fired. After all the moves he made, Rodgers did not pan out. Rodgers played most of the season like shit. He blamed others rather than taking the blame himself on why the team was a disappointment. He was a cancer in that Jets locker room. It’s time for Rodgers to go back to the darkness retreat cave and hang up the spikes for good. I know he will resurface with another team because he will want more touchdown passes than his former teammate, Brett Farve. Which he is not far away in the pecking order. Some stupid team will take a risk on Rodgers once again. He may follow the same Farve path and go to Minnesota after his Jets career comes crashing down.

#3. TYRIQUE STEVENSON

The corner back for the Chicago Bears is more mush mouth than a defender in the NFL. Tyrique Stevenson has been in the NFL two seasons and the Bears should have cut him for taunting fans in Washington in the last play of the game with time still on the clock. It could happen to anyone. No, it does not. It happens to stupid people who want to be noticed and want to be important. Jayden Daniels and the Commanders set up for the Hail Mary play while Stevenson was taunting the Washington fan base on the field. He then was late to the party in the end zone as he let his guy be wide open in the end zone. Instead of covering the open man, he went for the ball. The ball was tipped right to an open receiver and Commanders win the game. Stevenson turns into a laughing stock and the butt of all jokes around the water cooler Monday morning. He has not learned his lesson after that game. Still taunting players on the other team and hooting and hollering. He has probably cost the Bears more games with his play than actually helping your team win games.

#2.DESHAUN WATSON

Karma is a bitch you scum bag. Deshaun Watson is a sociopath who will never admit he is wrong in being a sexual predator. His play on the field this season means he should look in the mirror because he is not worth 230 million dollars as the Browns made the worst trade in NFL history… period. On October 20th, Deshaun Watson’s season ended when he tore his Achilles tendon. It’s the second year in a row where his season ended early with an injury.The Dawg Pound, which is the home crowd for the Browns, booed him off the field because he is a dirt bag. Not because he was injured. Watson blamed others this season yelling at his offensive linemen because of his bad play. Just like having over 20 different women file sexual assault charges against you. In which you paid them to go away. If that is not guilty, then give me a million dollars and I’ll write sweet things about you. Karma bit him in the rear recently as he tore the same Achilles tendon practicing in Miami and will need another 7 months to recover and may miss most of the 2025 season. I will not celebrate someone being injured even if it’s a dirt bag like Watson. Watson should not be the second highest paid player in the NFL. He still has two years remaining on his deal. He would be better just to go away and perhaps join Aaron Rodgers in his darkness retreat cave. He will eventually resurface. Snakes usually do.

#1 GEORGE PICKENS

The Pittsburgh Steelers really know how to draft bipolar play makers. Everyone remembers crazy Antonio Brown who has played most of his NFL career without a full deck upstairs. Let’s not forget running back Le’Veon Bell, another doozy the Steelers drafted. The latest Steeler play maker that has a few missing screws in his head is wide receiver George Pickens. He’s only in his third year in the NFL and looked like he was going to be a solid receiver for the Steelers for years to come. The great Pickens blamed the snow as the big reason why Jameis Winston and the Browns beat the Steelers. Like it was not snowing when the Browns had the ball and scored in that game. In the final play of that game after the failed Hail Mary, Pickens got into a scuffle with Browns corner back Greg Newsome II. The two got tangled up on the final play. Then weeks later Pickens is targeted 6 times versus the Bengals and he dropped three of them and ended up with zero yards for the day. Pickens’ demeanor was pathetic on the sidelines in the last few weeks. He was upset with fans and was held back in one occasion. He was late for the Christmas game when the Steelers played the Chiefs that afternoon. The Steelers fans would love to ride this guy out of town. Look for Pickens to be in another uniform next season. It does not pay to be young and stupid.

RANKING THE 2024 NFL FIRST ROUND QUARTERBACKS: HAPPY NEW YEAR OR ANOTHER RESOLUTION

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In last April’s NFL draft, we saw six quarterbacks get selected in the first round. We now have seen 5 of them get action in their first year in the NFL. How has each QB done thrown to the wolves in the NFL, their rookie season? Some of these guys have started for their team day 1. One of these guys is just coming off his second start after sitting most of the season watching. Has it been a Happy New Year for the six franchises that chose the guy they hope would be their franchise QB for several years to come? Will any of these teams have new year resolutions to find another guy? Is it too early to judge these guys with only one season under their belt? We will rank them from worst to first which does not mean anything for the long haul. We will judge them by their performance on the field for this season. Some of these teams did not help their guy with protection as the offensive line was loose as a goose. We will take that into consideration. Here’s our list as we go worst to first in the 2024 first round rookie QB’s.

#6. JJ MCCARTHY: VIKINGS

JJ McCarthy never got on the field in the regular season due to an injury in pre-season. McCarthy’s pre-season injury ended his entire rookie season. If you were going to grade him, it’s an incomplete. McCarthy was selected number 10 in the NFL draft by the Vikings from the University of Michigan. He was coming off a season where he won the National Championship for the Wolverines. With veteran Sam Darnold playing out of his mind for the Vikings this season, will Minnesota end up trading McCarthy next year? This could be a blunder by the Vikings or a blessing in disguise. If McCarthy is a future bust, getting something for him now as he is still an unknown in the NFL could be plentiful. If Sam Darnold goes back to his old Darnold ways after you traded away McCarthy, then you’re back to square one. Do you trust Darnold coming off his best season in the NFL which may be his only good season he has ever had in the league? The jury is still out on this pick. The jury is definitely still out on Darnold.

#5. MICHAEL PENIX: FALCONS

Michael Peniz was drafted by the Falcons number 8 in last April’s draft from the University of Washington. Many wondered why the Falcons drafted a quarterback after shelling out the big bucks to veteran Kirk Cousins. Penix has had the opportunity to stand on the sidelines this season and watch a veteran like Captain Kirk. Guys like Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers benefited from holding the clipboard their first season in the league. Penix has finally been able to start the last two games as the Falcons have been hoping for a spark. Cousins has not done well in the last several weeks for the Falcons, so it was time to unleash the rookie. In two NFL games, Penix is completing 59.7% of his passes which is the lowest out of any other QB from the first round in last year’s draft. Penix is 1-1 as a starter and has tallied 463 passing yards with one touchdown pass and two interceptions. Was he called in to try to be the savior of this Falcons season? Lot of pressure. I think the entire NFL world has to see more on what he can do. The Falcons will trot him out there for the final game of the season. We know one thing, if I’m this franchise we are done with Cousins. The Falcons will look for a back up for Penix going into next season as they hope he will be QB 1.

#4.DRAKE MAYE: PATRIOTS

Drake Maye was drafted by the Patriots 3rd overall in the NFL draft from the University of North Carolina. Maye has started 11 games and is so far 2-9 as a starter in the NFL. He has completed 66.8% of his passes which is second highest among this rookie class. He has shown he can stand in the pocket and deliver a pass in tight windows. In 11 games he has thrown 15 touchdown passes compared to 10 interceptions. He has tallied 2,276 passing yards. I like his leadership. As a rookie he does make that one stupid throw a game, as he has thrown the 2nd most interceptions out of all these rookies, but he has played a few games less than Bo Nix who has the most. Out of all the QB’s he does not have the big name play maker to throw to like the other guys have one or even more of those weapons. Maye has also added two rushing touchdowns. He is a QB with a big frame so the Patriots could use him to score at the goal line using the tush push. We also would like to question the present coaching staff for the Patriots. Jerod Mayo is not the guy as they need some Miracle Whip to get Maye to the next level in his NFL career.

#3. CALEB WILLIAMS: BEARS

Caleb Williams was the number one pick in the 2024 NFL draft by the Bears. They got Williams out of USC and many thought he was the sure thing. Chicago is where quarterbacks and wide receivers go to die in their careers. Williams has started all 16 games so far as he is 4-12 under center as a starter. Williams has completed 61.9% of his passes which is hard to believe as he is closing in on David Carr’s old rookie record of being sacked the most in their first season in NFL history. The knock on Williams is he holds on to the football too long. You could also make the argument the Bears have one of the worst offensive lines in the league. He’s a quarterback that can run, but he always wants to throw first even when being chased as he has 19 touchdown passes to only 6 interceptions. He has tallied 3,393 passing yards. During his rookie season, the Bears fired the offensive coordinator. Then the front office fired their head coach. Then they promoted the new offensive coordinator to interim head coach in Thomas Brown. No way the Bears will keep Brown as they will move on and Williams will have to learn a new offense next season. Williams has shown glimpses of being a hell of a QB. He has also left you moments where you are scratching your head.

#2. BO NIX: BRONCOS

Bo Nix was the last quarterback selected in the first round. He went number 12 and was selected by the Broncos from the University of Oregon. You could say Nix has benefited from a QB whisperer in Sean Payton, the head coach for Denver. Nix started off slow but has really played well most of the season and surprised many experts regarding what this kid can do in the NFL. He is 9-7 as a starter and the Broncos need one more win to get to the post-season. He has completed 65.1% of his passes in year one. He has 3,454 passing yards with 25 touchdown passes as he is tied with Jayden Daniels for the most by one of these rookie sensations so far. He has 12 interceptions which is the most, but he started more games than Drake Maye. Nix has also used his legs as he has 4 rushing touchdowns. Nix has command of that Broncos offense. I have seen him throw some dimes to his receivers. The Bronco fans should be really happy because it has been a long time since Denver had a solid QB. You bet all the fans are singing the Rocky Mountain High with this rookie in place. You could make an argument he has been the top QB of this draft class as well.

#1.JAYDEN DANIELS: COMMANDERS

Jayden Daniels was selected 2nd overall in the 2024 NFL draft from LSU. The few experts that said before the draft that Daniels was the best QB in the draft should be whistling Dixie, because he played like it this season. Daniels has turned around a dysfunctional franchise that Washington was, very quickly. Daniels has been the starter for the Commanders since day 1 and is 11-5 behind center. He has the highest completion percentage of 69.4% which is outstanding. He is a double threat – a guy that can beat you running the ball or in the air with the pass. He has tallied up 3.530 passing yards which is the best out of this class. He has 25 touchdown passes which is tied with Bo Nix out of this class. He has three less interceptions than Bo with only 9. With the legs, he has 6 rushing touchdowns. He has been big in the clutch. He has engineered multiple game winning drives in his first season in the NFL. He has thrown some very nice balls through tiny windows to get the completion to his play makers. You may see Daniels win a playoff game as Washington is in the post-season as a wild card. He seems like a QB in the playoffs and in big moments he does not panic. This is why he is my number one choice right now from the 2024 1st round QB picks. The Hail Mary drive versus the Bears. Then the dart he threw in the last minute of regulation to beat the Eagles.

NFL WEEK 9: WEEKLY PREDICTIONS DONE THE WILD SHAMROCK WAY

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LAST WEEK’S RECORD FOR WEEK 8, (9-7)

THURSDAY NIGHT GAMES:(5-3)

FRIDAY GAMES:(0-1)

MONDAY NIGHT GAMES:(7-3)

OUR SEASON RECORD:(77-46)

NFL WEEK 9 STRAIGHT PICK-EM

THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

HOUSTON TEXANS(6-2) AT NEW YORK JETS(2-6)

Where do you go if you are the Jets after losing to the Patriots last week? The Texans lost another weapon in their passing game as Stefon Diggs is out for the year with a knee injury. When is it time to pull the plug on Aaron Rodgers? Because the Jets are in the coffin right now as their 2024 season is being nailed shut?

The Jets are 2-6 and are favored in this contest. I know CJ Stroud did not play well last year at the Jets stadium in New Jersey. This match up can go either way. I can see Rodgers and this Jets team suddenly resurrect themselves and get the victory. I like the Texans defense in this match up as well. I love to see the Jets season end here. I pick Houston to win because the Jets are a badly-coached team and they make too many mistakes. I just don’t trust the Jets. Stroud will rely heavily on the running game with Joe Mixon taking this offense on his shoulders. The running game is the weakness to the Jets defense.

OUR PICK: TEXANS

THE SUNDAY SLATE

DENVER BRONCOS(5-3) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS(5-3)

The Broncos have won two straight games and their rookie QB Bo Nix continues to improve himself at the NFL level. The Ravens were absolutely stunned by the Browns last week getting beaten by the likes of Jameis Winston. You would think the Ravens in this match-up have the better defense, but that goes to the Broncos. Denver defense is the big reason why this team is 5-3. The Ravens defense may be one of the worst units in this team’s history. Hard to believe because last year the same defense dominated and got this Ravens team to the AFC Championship. The Ravens defense should slow Bo Nix down just enough for Lamar Jackson and that offense to get enough points for the win. The Ravens offense has been one of the best in the league. Jackson along with the running back Derrick Henry has created a rushing attack that teams can’t stop. Jackson gets his passing plays in as well to keep the Denver defense from not guessing what is next. I like the Ravens being at home. I like the Ravens offense getting their points on a solid defense. I think Ravens rebound from the lost to Cleveland and get back in the win column.

OUR PICK: RAVENS

DALLAS COWBOYS(3-4) AT ATLANTA FALCONS(5-3)

I thought the Cowboys were going to wake up last week versus a 49ers team they had trouble in the past beating. The Falcons won a big division game as they swept the Buccaneers and have a big tie breaker within the division they are holding. Both the Cowboys and Falcons defenses are struggling to stop opposing offenses. This game should be considered a shoot out. The Cowboys are due for a big game soon. That game where the Lions massacred the Cowboys is still lingering. I like Kirk Cousins keeping this a very close game. In the end the Cowboys find a way to win a game to right the ship at least for one week. They will calm the critics and be back at the 500 mark.

OUR PICK: COWBOYS

MIAMI DOLPHINS(2-5) AT BUFFALO BILLS(6-2)

The Dolphins offense showed a pulse last week in the return of Tua Tagovailoa. The Bills have won back-to-back games and beat up on the Seahawks. The Bills were the team when Tua landed a blow to the head and was out for multiple weeks with a concussion. The Bills defense tamed a great Seattle offense last week on the road. Seattle is a tough place with top play. How does Miami beat the Bills is the million dollar question? If the Bills can beat Miami this week, they could literally step on the fin’s throat and pretty much end their season as this team needs to win a ton games to be back in the playoff conversation. Miami defense is a problem as they allowed Kyler Murray to have a big game against them in Tua’s return. Josh Allen has dominated the Dolphins and he plays his best at home in Buffalo. The Bills defense has the recipe to keep the Dolphins Air and Water show in check.

OUR PICK:BILLS

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS(2-6) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS(1-7)

This game should be slated the toilet bowl of the NFC South. The Saints started out 2-0 and have lost six straight. The Panthers are the worst team in the league & have lost five straight games. The last time these two teams met was week one when the Saints put up 40 points on this Panthers team. The Saints have been decimated by injuries, but will get their starting QB back in this one Derek Carr. The Panthers corner back Jaycee Horn was bitching last week at Sean Payton for trying to run up the score as Denver scored 28 points and brought out the trick plays with 5 minutes left in regulation.

Jaycee Horn’s father Joe played for the Saints and was a wide receiver who used a cell phone in his touchdown celebration. Maybe the Panthers need a mercy rule. I think Carr will give this Saints offense the juice it needs to get back in the win column.

OUR PICK: SAINTS

LA CHARGERS(4-3) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS(2-6)

The Chargers are a quiet 4-3 as they beat the Saints last week without any big news or highlights. The Browns shocked the football world as they upset their division rival the Ravens with their back up QB, Jameis Winston. Could the bad start for the Browns come down to the bad play of Deshaun Watson? The Chargers defense will give this new Browns life a bigger challenge than what the Ravens defense has done all year. Winston having back to back games without the costly turnover is rare. The Chargers have Justin Herbert who has had a pretty good season with 8 touchdown passes compared to one interception.

Before this season it seemed like Herbert had the air show going every week throwing bombs through the skies all around the football world. Now he seems like a game manager under Jim Harbaugh. The Chargers don’t have those big weapons they let go in the off-season. The Browns defense now has a spark with last week’s win should be able to stop Herbert and company. I like Nick Chubb running the ball for the Browns to take the pressure off Winston. The Browns are at home, so we roll with Winston this week for the hell of it and watch Cleveland get their mojo back while Watson’s at home pouting about his future.

OUR PICK: BROWNS

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS(2-6) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS(3-5)

The Raiders gave the Chiefs a battle last week. The Bengals took a beat down by the Eagles. Joe Burrow is walking a thin line for this 2024 season. A loss by the Raiders may be the hole the Bengals can’t dig themselves out of. The Raiders will go with Gardner Minshew who started last week. The Raiders should be able to generate points off a bad Bengals defense. If Tee Higgins can go, I like the Bengals in this one. No way Minshew can keep up matching scores with Burrow throwing to Ja’Marr Chase and Higgins as his options. I still like the Bengals even without Higgins. The Raiders are gassed from throwing everything at the Chiefs now traveling to Cincinnati. Since Davante Adams was traded, the leading receiver for Raiders has been their tight end Brock Bowers.

Not enough as Burrow still thinks he can run the table and get the Bumbles, cough cough I mean Bengals, back in the playoff conversation. The Raiders will be the first notch on this long road.

OUR PICK: BENGALS

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS(2-6) AT TENNESSEE TITANS(1-6)

Who the hell do you pick in a game with these two teams? The Patriots upset the Jets and Aaron Rodgers which was priceless. Maybe the first time I rooted for the Pats since Drew Bledsoe was the man behind center. The Titans have been getting kicked around by the good teams the last two weeks. Before that the Titans would not do what I predicted which was very agonizing. The Patriots rookie QB Drake Maye suffered a concussion & he most likely will not play in this one. I like Mason Rudolf delivering in a game like this. Rudolf is better than Jacoby Brissett on any given Sunday. I have a predicted winner but really who cares about this game?

OUR PICK: TITANS

CHICAGO BEARS(4-3) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS(4-4)

It’s hard to believe the Cardinals right now are in a 3 way tie for first place in the NFC West. The Bears were beaten by a Hail Mary play at the end of regulation by the Commanders. Kyler Murray can do well against bad defenses as he delivered last week in a one point win over the Dolphins. The Bears were dominated by the Commanders most of the way. Then fought their way back in the game and took the lead. Then they shot themselves in the foot at the end of the game to give it right back to Washington. The Bears defense is solid, so Murray will have problems. Caleb Williams has done well against bad defense this season in a string of wins. Williams I believe will not get off to a slow start this week as the Bears should get an early rushing attack established to dictate this one for the win.

OUR PICK: BEARS

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS(2-6) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES(5-2)

Doug Pederson was the only head coach in Eagles history to have won a Superbowl. Pederson has been to Philadelphia as Head Coach of the Jaguars. This visit Pederson has no defense. The Eagles exposed a bad defense last week that the Bengals trotted out on to the field. The Jaguars have not won a road game all season. The Eagles defense contained the Bengals offense which is hard to do with Joe Burrow behind center. Trevor Lawrence is starting to find his groove, but his defense has let him down all year. In a shoot out Jalen Hurts will prevail because the Eagles defense will make some stops on Lawrence. The Eagles are one those quiet teams that are starting to string some victories together as they won three straight. Make it 4.

OUR PICK: EAGLES

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS(6-2) AT NEW YORK GIANTS(2-6)

Once upon a time ago… that’s how the story will be told. The first team rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels beat was the New York Giants. It was week 2 and it was a close game 21-18 Commanders win. The following week the coming out party for Daniels was heard throughout the football world. The Giants come home after giving the Steelers a battle most of the game on Monday Night Football. The Commanders won last week on a Hail Mary pass to beat the Bears in game they dominated and you don’t know why they needed to win using the rosary in the last seconds. The Commanders defense has turned into one of the better units in the league. We know the Commanders offense have razzled and dazzled the competition since playing the Giants last. We can’t really say that about the Giants. The Giants defense is okay, not scary like the Commanders. Daniel Jones will settle for more field goals than touchdowns in the red zone.

OUR PICK: COMMANDERS

DETROIT LIONS(6-1) AT GREEN BAY PACKERS(6-2)

The Lions and Packers right now are the two power houses of the NFL North, since the Vikings dropped two straight games. Combined the Packers & Lions have won 9 straight. The Packers 4 and the Lions 5. One problem involved the cheese heads. Will Jordan Love play? He suffered a hamstring injury in the win over the Jaguars last week. The Lions offense with Jared Goff, his receivers, and the two headed monster in the back field have been the best offense in the league. They scored 52 points versus the Titans last week. Let’s not forget the 40 something dismantling of the Cowboys a few weeks back. The Packers have survived without Love behind center. The former Titan, now Packer Malik Willis, is 2-0 as a starter this season. This will be a heavyweight fight between these two teams. Exchanging blows each quarter. The Lions get the final blow as Love will not be 100% & keeps Detroit king of the division at the half way point of the season.

OUR PICK: LIONS

LA RAMS(3-4) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS(4-4)

The NFC West is up for grabs. The Seahawks, Cardinals, and 49ers are all at the same record of 4-4. The Rams are right behind all three teams with 3-4 record. The 49ers have a bye this week. The Cardinals have their hands full dealing with the visiting Bears. This is a big game between Seattle and LA.

The Seahawks crumbled at home versus the Bills last week. Two of Seattle defenders got in a fight in on the sidelines during the game. The Seahawks offense who was scoring on every team, looked bad versus the Bills defense. The Seahawks may be without their star receiver DK Metcalf in this one as he was out last week with an injury. The Rams look like a new team with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back from their injuries. This made Matthew Stafford look like a different QB this season versus the Vikings. I’m going with my eye test here. The Rams defense looked solid last week and the Seahawks can be streaky with Geno Smith like last season he was cold more than he was hot. Stafford has the hot hand as the Rams have won two straight.

OUR PICK: RAMS

THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS(4-4) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS(5-2)

I thought the Colts should have started Joe Flacco versus a Texans team they would have beat if he was behind center last week. The Vikings started off 5-0 and now the wheels fell off the purple bus and they are desperate for a win. Flacco will get the start on Sunday night versus the Vikings and they are a different team when he starts over Anthony Richardson. The Vikings defense which has done well during that first 5 games were sliced and diced by Matthew Stafford. I like the Colts offense with Jonathan Taylor back as the premier back and how Flacco can open up the passing game like the Rams did to that Vikings defense. Remember Sam Darnold has always been a losing QB throughout his NFL career. One of the toughest things to do as a quarterback is break a losing streak. Darnold has played his best football this year behind center. This will be a close game. I like Flacco’s experience better as the Colts rebound from their division loss to Houston and win a tough road game.

OUR PICK: COLTS

THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS(4-4) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS(7-0)

Surprisingly Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers offense were still able to score a good amount of points last Sunday versus the Falcons without his two top receivers. Kansas City held off a Raiders attack and got their revenge from the great Christmas story of last year when Vegas beat the Chiefs. The Buccaneers defense has been like the easy slot machines giving money away on each button push. The Buccaneers have lost two straight and playing in Arrowhead with a solid defense the Chiefs have, is not a very good recipe. Let’s not forget the prince of the NFL Patrick Mahomes can run a balanced attack and keep the Chiefs perfect for the season.

OUR PICK: CHIEFS

NFL WEEK 8: WEEKLY PREDICTIONS DONE THE WILD SHAMROCK WAY

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LAST WEEK’S RECORD FOR WEEK 7, (12-3) Our best of the year.

THURSDAY NIGHT GAMES:(5-2)

FRIDAY GAMES:(0-1)

MONDAY NIGHT GAMES:(6-3)

SEASON RECORD:(68-39)

NFL WEEK 8 STRAIGHT PICK-EM

THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

MINNESOTA VIKINGS(5-1) AT LA RAMS(2-4)

Last Sunday the Vikings got their first loss of the season by a division rival, Detroit Lions, on a game-ending field goal. The Rams managed to get by a bad Raiders team. The Rams will be getting some of their bigger play makers back on offense as Cooper Cupp and Puka Nacua will give Matthew Stafford his two best receivers back in the fold. The Vikings defense were gashed by the Lions after the offense built the team a nice lead early in that one. This will be the hardest thing for the Vikings all season, which is to rebound quickly from a loss on a short week which is their first one all year. Do you trust the Rams? They have been wishy washy all year. Stafford will get better with his guys back. The Vikings should rebound especially that defense. I’ve been liking what Sam Darnold has done to this point. Close game but I like Vikes on the road.

OUR PICK: VIKINGS

THE SUNDAY SLATE

BALTIMORE RAVENS(5-2) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS(1-6)

The Ravens have won 5 straight games. The Browns lost their starting quarterback for the year. The Browns fans are dancing in the streets naked until they see QB 2 in Jameis Winston. The Ravens defense has not been that elite unit like they were last season. With the interception king at quarterback for the Browns, oh the hunting they will go as they could force multiple turnovers. Overall I can see the Browns playing better with Nick Chubb back. I think Winston will keep this game close and watch the Browns offense run smoother. These two teams know each other. The Browns defense will have a hard time stopping Derrick Henry or do you get Lamar Jackson in an option running game that has worked well. I will go back to the interception king serving up too many gifts for the Ravens to seal the deal with another win under their feathers.

OUR PICK: RAVENS

TENNESSEE TITANS(1-5) AT DETROIT LIONS(5-1)

The Lions have taken over the throne of the NFC North kingdom removing the Vikings last Sunday. The Titans waving the white flag as they traded veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Chiefs. This will be the second consecutive road game for the Titans who are looking for Rudolf the back up quarterback to take the Lions down in his story. Mason Rudolf is a better option than Will Levis who is hurt and has not done well as the starting quarterback this season. The Lions are at home and their offense, and they score points which the Titans can’t match. The Lions are just far better than the Titans as well. Detroit will sit on their throne for at least another week.

OUR PICK: LIONS

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS(4-3) AT HOUSTON TEXANS(5-2)

This week 8 match up is a battle for first place in the AFC South. Some would have thought that Houston was light years ahead of any other team in the division. The Colts have quietly stayed in striking distance as they just got by the Miami Dolphins. The Texans lost a close game to the Green Bay Packers that sent Stephon Diggs in a tizzy with a Packers defender during that contest.

Diggs is lone wolf on things and his mind set is all about the Diggies which could sink the Texans time to time. The Colts will have their star running back Jonathan Taylor back. If the Colts win this, they will both be 5-3 for the year. I like Texans in this one because the Colts will have Anthony Richardson starting and he can’t match anything CJ Stroud is putting up on the scoreboard. If Joe Flacco was the starter, then this match up got way better.

OUR PICK: TEXANS

GREEN BAY PACKERS(5-2) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS(2-5)

The Jaguars return from their summer home in England the last two weeks, and now will play a home game in Florida with the visiting Packers. The Packers coming off a big win over the Texans. The Jags won last week over the Patriots and now you can say they are not in last place in the AFC south. The Packers are not the Patriots and Jordan Love should carve the Jaguars up like Thanksgiving turkey as Jacksonville has a weak secondary. Trevor Lawrence could have games where he can match anyone in the NFL but with the long stay and long flight the Jaguars may come out purring like kittens then a jungle animal.

OUR PICK: PACKERS

ARIZONA CARDINALS(3-4) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS(2-4)

The Dolphins will be getting the guy that makes their merry go round, go around. Tua Tagovailoa is cleared to start from the concussion protocols. Tua has missed several weeks after suffering a concussion in week two versus the Bills. The Cardinals found a way to beat a team not in their division with a walk off field goal to end the Chargers on Monday night. The Dolphins offense without Tua has been dormant. The Cardinals defense is the best recipe for the Dolphins to knock off the rust. Can Kyler Murray go head to head with TUA? I don’t like the Cardinals playing on the road in Miami where the humid conditions favor the Dolphins most of the time. Tua is the spark that will light up the Cardinals with a big boom.

OUR PICK: DOLPHINS

NEW YORK JETS(2-5) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS(1-6)

I find myself rooting for the Patriots in this one even though the wreckage of the previous dynasty is still smoldering. This match up gives me no choice because the Jets have Aaron Rodgers, a guy you have to hate with a deeper anger. Jets need this win more than the Patriots just because of the season aspirations coming in. Jets want to be that darling playoff team with an aging Rodgers leading them deep into post season. The Patriots are developing a rookie quarterback Drake Maye who has done well so far in a few starts. The Patriots coming home after playing in England will probably get steam rolled by the Jets as their defense who will make the bold statement. Mr. Darkness Retreat will play well in this one and get the Jets back in the win column.

OUR PICK: JETS

ATLANTA FALCONS(4-3) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS(4-3)

The Falcons and the Buccaneers met in week 5 on Thursday night that was an epic battle for sole possession of the NFC South. Last week Kirk Cousins was rattled as he felt like he was in a cage from the Seahawks defense which encapsulated him in the pocket with punishment all game. The Buccaneers defense has seen better days as the Ravens hung a 40 berger on them in the Monday Night game. I like the Falcons getting back on track with that Buccaneer defense being unable to stop anyone. The Buccaneers offense during that game lost their two best receivers in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Not sure how Baker Mayfield will respond with these guys out. The Falcons defense is nowhere to be compared to this Buccaneers unit. I like Cousins dropping another 30 points on this Buccaneers teams, sweeping the series. and taking over first place.

OUR PICK: FALCONS

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES(4-2) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS(3-4)

The Eagles and Bengals have quietly won two straight games. With a win, the Bengals will get to the 500 mark and once again look like they have dug themselves out of an early grave.

The Eagles are winning games but Jalen Hurts and that offense do not look crisp like they use to. The entire Eagles team just looks ordinary and nothing special. The Eagles should generate some offense from this terrible Bengals defense. Joe Burrow is the grave digger for this team and after the hole is dug, he brings his team out of the hole and the Bengals usually go on a tear and win 5 or more games. That Bengals offense will be hard for this Eagles defense to contain. Hurts and company will not score more than that Bengals offense. Bengals even up their record and are back in the playoff conversation. This is one of the norms about the NFL in these scenarios. Bengals find their way back into the season and Chiefs continue to win Superbowls. Just part of the regular scripts.

OUR PICK: BENGALS

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS(2-5) AT LA CHARGERS(3-3)

Did some witch doctor in New Orleans get the Voo Doo doll wrong? Derek Carr is still out. The Saints injured list is a mile long. Each week & each poke of the doll something bad happens to this Saints team who have now lost 5 straight after winning their first two games. The Chargers are Even Steven at 3-3 and lost to the Cardinals in a game that was not a thriller on Monday night on a walk off field goal. Chargers only scored 15 points. Spencer Rattler has had some flashes of looking like a quarterback in this league. He is still a rookie and the Chargers defense should gobble him up. The Chargers will run the ball well to establish control in this game. The Saints front office needs to eliminate the witch doctor to remove the curse or this season may be one of the worst for New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina leveled most of the town.

OUR PICK: CHARGERS

BUFFALO BILLS(5-2) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS(4-3)

Both the Bills and Seahawks come away with wins last Sunday. The Bills inserted their new weapon for Josh Allen and he connected with Amari Cooper for a score, a guy they just landed in a trade. Meanwhile Seahawks defensive front was in the face of Kirk Cousins all afternoon in a win over the Falcons. The Seahawks can score points. The Bills bend and try not to break defense will look for turnovers where Geno Smith can make mistakes. Smith has six interceptions this season. The Bills are 2-2 on the road this season and Seattle is not the easiest place to win on the road. I like Josh Allen being able to escape the Seattle pressure. I like the Bills well-balanced offense. The Seahawks will generate points. However the Seahawks will have one less weapon for the Bills to deal with in wide receiver DK Metcalf. The Bills defense will get that Smith turnover and get out of Seattle with a win.

OUR PICK: BILLS

CHICAGO BEARS(4-2) AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS(5-2)

This Bears versus Commanders game features the top two quarterbacks picked in last April’s draft. For the Bears Caleb Williams was picked number one. He started off slowly out of the gates & now looks like he has figured out the speed of the NFL game compared to college. Jayden Daniels out of the gates behind center has been red hot. Williams is completing so far 65.3% of his passes with 9 touchdown passes and 5 interceptions. Williams can run the ball but prefers to pass the ball when he is on the run. Then Daniels is completing a whopping 75.6% of his passes which is unbelievable. Daniels has thrown 6 touchdown passes to only 2 interceptions and has 4 rushing touchdowns with his legs. Both these teams have solid defenses to go along with electric offenses. Daniels looks like he will play but he will be playing with bruised ribs he suffered versus Carolina. This may be a start of inter conference battle for years to come. Who wins this one?

The X-factor is Montez Sweat who actually led both teams last year in sacks. Sweat was traded by the Commanders to the Bears. I can see Sweat having a big game and making a impact play to turn the tides in favor of the Bears as they win a close one.

OUR PICK: BEARS

CAROLINA PANTHERS(1-6) AT DENVER BRONCOS(4-3)

The Panthers are a very bad team. The Broncos knocked off a very bad team last Thursday beating up on the Saints. The Broncos have one hell of a defense that should paint the picture right there. The Broncos QB Bo Nix is slowly developing and should have a solid game versus a bad Panther defense. It’s in Denver. That’s all she wrote.

OUR PICK: BRONCOS

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS(6-0) AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS(2-5)

What happened to that Raiders team that knocked around Patrick Mahomes on Christmas Day? The silver and black would win that game. I ask myself: Is it possible for the Raiders that are 2-5 right now to give the Chiefs their first loss? The Raiders will reinsert Gardner Minshew who was benched weeks ago because he struggled. The Chiefs QB Mahomes has not thrown a touchdown pass of his own in weeks. The Chiefs just made a trade with the Titans as they land DeAndre Hopkins in hopes that will change in Vegas. It’s a home game for the Raiders but I imagine you will see more red than black jerseys. I’m sure the Raiders defense will throw everything including the kitchen sink at Mahomes. I just don’t see Minshew or the Raiders running game getting much off this Chiefs defense. It is just a pipe dream to think Raiders can resurrect that Christmas magic.

OUR PICK: CHIEFS

THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME

DALLAS COWBOYS(3-3) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS(3-4)

The last time we saw the Cowboys they were pummeled by the Lions. Detroit put up over 40 points on this horrible Dallas defense. The 49ers gave you hope last week for a little while of getting revenge versus the Chiefs from the Superbowl loss. The Chiefs won that as you all know that. The 49ers have a grocery store list at Aldi stocking up the covers and fridge with injuries. The Cowboys are rested and set for another prime time game. The last few meetings the 49ers defense has toppled the Cowboys offense. I really don’t care for either team as they both reek and desperate for a win. The 49ers are favored in this one. Just the way the NFL has gone, watch America’s team have a big night knocking the 49ers out with what ever they have standing in this game. Dak Prescott now the highest paid QB in the league has to show something or he will be headed for Watson Bust Boulevard. My gut says the Cowboys will be a complete different team and barely win this one on the road. You can’t have a week without talking about the Boys making it to the Superbowl those sickies.

OUR PICK: COWBOYS???

THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME

NEW YORK GIANTS(2-5) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS(5-2)

Do the Giants show a pulse in this Monday clash versus the Steelers? The Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin may be the QB whisperer.

The Steelers have gotten 5 wins out of QB’s tossed to the curb from other teams. Justin Fields went 4-2 as a starter to start the season for Pittsburgh. Last week Russell Wilson got his first action of the season and he looked like his old Seattle self and Steelers grounded the Jets. The Giants are probably the worst New York team that plays their games in New Jersey. The Steelers defense should easily prevent Daniel Jones from having any kind of chance that he thinks he’s going to win the game. Wilson may come down to earth but the Steelers running game will do the heavy lifting on offense and Pittsburgh should be 6-2 as we are closing on the first half of the season. Not too shabby.

OUR PICK: STEELERS

HANGING OUT WITH MR. COOPER

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For the Buffalo Bills, life without Stefon Diggs has had its up and downs. The first three games of the seasons the Bills offense was rolling like a well-oiled machine. It was an offense where everyone feasts as Josh Allen spread the ball around. It was working when the team was averaging over 30 points per game and started out of the gates 3-0. It was Diggs who? Then the next two games the Bills struggled on offense losing two conference games to teams they most likely will meet in the playoffs. The Ravens and Diggs’ new team, the Texans. Suddenly Diggs was being missed as the Bills had no top receiver to take double coverage. They did not have a guy that would step up in crucial situations to keep the chains moving. The Bills only averaged 15 points in the next two losses. On Monday the Bills found a way to get back in the win column beating the Jets. Bills only scored 23 points which was better than what they did in two straight losses. This offense was missing Diggs, but not Diggs as a person and his mentality of me, me, me, and me. The Bills at 4-2 are in first place in the east and want to stay there. They struck a deal with the Cleveland Browns adding a true number 1 receiver to this team by landing veteran wide out, Amari Cooper.

Amari Cooper is 30 years old and was a former 1st round pick of the Oakland Raiders back in 2015, 4th overall in the NFL draft. Since the Browns are handcuffed by Deshaun Watson’s contract and starting 1-5 out of the gates, the front office feels it’s time to sell off a few pieces in Cleveland. The Bills will land Cooper and receive a 2025 6th round draft pick from the Browns. The Browns will get the Bills 3rd round pick in 2025 and their 7th round pick in 2026. Cooper’s salary, because his deal was reworked, fits perfectly under the Bills salary cap. The Bills General Manager Brandon Beane did not have to give up a ton of draft capital or find ways to fit a higher priced receiver in the team’s cap. Cooper gives Josh Allen a true number one receiver again to really give this aerial attack the Bills have a big boost.

This is the 10th year in the NFL for Amari Cooper, who came out of Alabama University. The Bills will be his 4th team he has suited up for. He started with Oakland & then was traded to Dallas. He has been on the Browns for the last three seasons. Any time he has started for a new team, he has come out of the gates strong and has had big years tallying up 1,000 or more yards for each new team he has played for. Last year Cooper and Joe Flacco had a nice connection on the field in Cleveland. The Browns went to the playoffs. Cooper had 72 catches for 1,250 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns. Some of that was with Deshaun Watson earlier in the season. Cooper’s game got better with Flacco. This year Cleveland’s offense has really struggled and Cooper had only 24 catches for 250 yards with two touchdowns in six games. Cooper would need 750 yards in a Buffalo uniform to notch his third straight season reaching 1,000 or more yards. Cooper’s career in 146 games he has hauled in 691 passes for 9,736 yards with 62 touchdowns. Stefon Diggs arrived, also in 2015, and has played ten seasons in the NFL. Diggs has more catches, yards, and touchdowns. Diggs has hauled in 847 catches for 10,387 yards and 70 touchdowns. As you can see, career-wise Cooper is not that far off from Diggs, maybe except catches.

The Bills leading receiver to this point of the season for the Bills is Khalil Shakir, who has 20 grabs for 249 yards with two touchdowns. Shakir is a slot receiver who will benefit with the presence of Amari Cooper. Shakir should not be your number 2 guy. He’s a very nice number 2. The Bills have been developing a rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman, who has 20 grabs for 201 yards with two touchdowns. The Bills have two solid tight ends in Dalton Kincaid, who has 21 grabs for 217 yards with a touchdown catch. The other tight end is Dawson Knox who scored his first touchdown of the year on Monday night versus the Jets. Everyone eats in the Bills offense as veteran big body wide out, Mack Hollins, even has two touchdowns this season. The Bills cut two time Superbowl winner veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdez-Scantling, who had only caught two balls so far for 26 yards to make room on the roster for their big trade acquisition.

After the loss to the Bills, it did not take the Jets long to pull the trigger and land Devante Adams from the Raiders. Adams reunites with his former quarterback from Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers. Adams wanted out of Vegas. Adams is one of the best receivers in the NFL. Suddenly the AFC has an arms race for aerial weapons. Rumors have it that Buffalo kicked the tires on Adams, but Vegas had a higher price. Maybe too steep for the Bills salary cap. It did not seem that long after sending Adams to the Jets, the news came out of Cooper heading to Buffalo. Will Adams resurrect this Jets team that has far more problems than just Rodgers? Rodgers probably played his best game with the Jets versus the Bills in that Monday night game. The Jets have dug themselves a hole early on, but they have plenty of time to get back in the playoff talk. The Bills could be 5-1 as they shot themselves in the foot in the game versus the Texans. The Bills head coach Sean McDermott blamed himself for poor clock management that could have sent that game to overtime. The Bills are getting people back from their injuries as well. Hanging with Mr. Cooper may be the ace card this Bills team needs. A good locker room guy. Amari Cooper is a great route runner. Now the Bills have a deep threat for Josh Allen. With Cooper in the fold, other guys will get open. I like the Bills running game. This move keeps defenses guessing. The Jets may turn things around with Adams. The Bills can now be talked about with the top tier teams in the AFC, the Ravens and Chiefs, with Cooper now in the mix.